I've lucked into a real synergy between the Line Magnetic amplifier and the Merlin speakers-- I'm getting the timbral colors, spatial magic and organic flow of SET with all the PRAT I crave.
I posted in "Done for now," because I am not interested in replacing any of the components I have in place, but our attention does wander.
This integrated produces 22 watts from a pair of 845 tubes. Lots of low-end oomph, perhaps a little more than is actually there, but very tuneful and a great match for my speakers, which can be a little lean with the wrong electronics. I replaced the pretty darn good PSVANE 845's that came with the amp for Shuguang 845-Bs and prefer the sound for sure.
The LM can use a wide variety of power tetrodes and pentodes as drivers, so after a good deal of experimentation, I've been using Shuguang Treasure KT-66-Z for a while. Prior to that, I've enjoyed a variety of 6V6 drivers ('50s GE Greyglass, Sylvania Chrome Top and surprisingly, newly made Russian Tung Sols, which are really really good and quite reasonably priced!). I sub in KT88s as drivers also, both original and Russian reissue Gold Lions. NOS WInged C EL34s were not my cup of tea at all.
Current input tubes are PSVANE Treasure II 12AX7-T, which replaced both '60s Mullard CV4004s and Telefunken Smooth Plate 12AX7. 5751s were not to my liking. Rectifier is a '60s Amperex-branded Mullard 5AR4.
Virtual Dynamics Power 3
Power cord for integrated amp
Rega RP-6 Turntable
Dynavector DV-20X2L
Low Output MC Cartridge
PS Audio Stellar
Phono Preamp
Audience AU24-SE
1M RCA connects Phono Pre to integrated amp.
Bluesound Vault 2 Media Server
Audience AU-24e Digital Interconnect
Between the Bluesound Media Server and the Brooklyn DAC
Mytek Brooklyn DAC
Revelation Audio Labs Precept 2
Power cord for the DAC
Auditorium 23 Interconnect
1M RCA connects the DAC to the Integrated
Merlin Music Systems VSM-MMM
With two-input Super BAM. Merlin is an EXCELLENT match to my Line Magnetic amp.
Auditorium 23 Speaker Cable
The 4.5M run was pricey but very much worth it. A great match for the Line Magnetic Gear.
Great system you have there! At some point I'd like to upgrade my tsm's to vsm's. Love your built-ins. Looks like there is enough room there for a TT and some vinyl.
